Page 122 of Through the Storms

Chloe let out a pain-filled cry when she saw the pile of rubble where Dennis’s house once was. Her heart dropped to her stomach. There was nothing left of the house. Had it collapsed on Mia?

Lana took Chloe’s hand when she started to move toward the house. “I know it’s hard, but please let them do the search.”

Though Chloe wanted to rush in, she knew Lana was right, so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Riley ran to the house with Asher and Oakley on her heels. Riley pointed, and the three spanned out. Riley walked through the center of the rubble, while Asher and Oakley covered the perimeter.

“Shit, over here,” Oakley called.

Chloe pulled her hand from Lana’s grip and took off at a run. Lana’s footsteps echoed behind her, but Chloe kept running.

Riley had dropped to one knee next to a young boy who lay among the rubble. She pressed her fingers against his neck. “He’s got a pulse. It’s rapid.”

“That gash on his head is pretty deep,” Asher said.

Oakley waved her arms and yelled toward a group of volunteers. “We need a stretcher over here.”

Four men carrying a door ran toward them.

Riley looked up at Chloe. “Do you think this is the house?”

Chloe nodded. “I’m sure it is.”

“Do you know this kid?”

Chloe studied him. He looked to be about Mia’s age, but she didn’t recognize him. “No.”

The volunteers moved quickly and gently lifted the boy onto the makeshift stretcher. As they started to raise it, he moaned.

“He’s awake,” Lana said.

His blue eyes locked on Chloe, and he reached out to her.

Chloe knelt and took the boy’s hand. She brushed the hair out of his eyes. “Hi, sweetie. What’s your name?”

“Mia,” he said in a low voice.

What?Had he just said Mia’s name?No.Wishful thinking. “Did you say your name was Liam?”

He shook his head, and a look of intense pain etched his face. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before he opened them. The pain behind them had subsided.

“These gentlemen are going to take you to get medical attention,” Chloe said.

“No.” He tried to sit up, but Riley put a steadying hand on his shoulder. “Mia!”

“Did you hear that?” Chloe said to Riley, still not sure she could trust her own ears.

Riley touched his arm. “Did you say Mia?”

He nodded, and his gaze fell on Chloe. “Mrs. Crawford.”

“Oh, my god, you know Mia.” Chloe wanted to grab him and shake information out of him, but she forced herself to remain calm. “I’m Mia’s mom.”

“She looks like you.” He smiled.

Chloe smiled back. “Lucas?”

“Yes.” Relief flooded across his face, and he closed his eyes.